Specialist Nurse Children in Care
Livewell SouthwestPlymouth, Devon- Permanent
Job summary
hours per week.
Anexciting opportunity has arisen for a nurse to join the proactive, dedicatedChildren in Care Nursing team, and work with us to improve the health andwellbeing of children and young people in care and Care Leavers. You will undertake the statutory reviewhealth assessments, follow up any health needs identified and work with otherprofessionals to provide interventions that can make a difference to a child'slife.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Children in Care nursing team to find out more about the role and responsibilities of this post.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will :
Undertake Review Health assessments as detailed in the statutory guidance, 'Promoting the health and wellbeing of Looked after Children' (updated 2022), for children aged from 6 months to their 18th birthday using atrauma informed approach.
Compile andimplement comprehensive, holistic health plans.
Providehealth interventions as required for children and young people in care
Work in partnershipwith Social Workers, foster carers and other professionals who work with thechild.
Offerappropriate health promotion advice on a range of factors affecting children inthe care system.
Participatein multi-agency meetings relating to children and young people in care and careleavers.
Develop anddeliver training on factors affecting the health and wellbeing of children incare to a range of professionals who might work with children in care.
You will beexpected to work flexibly to ensure children in care can be seen at times oftheir choosing.
Please beaware that this work can have a significant emotional impact; regularsupervision is provided.
You areencouraged to contact nurses in the team to discuss the role.
Please note that interviews will be held in September and will comprise of a formal interview and a presentation to a young people's Panel.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer :
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
Leadership & mentoring programmes
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
A Robust Preceptorship
A bespoke induction programme
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Specialist Children in Care Nurse, the post holder will have excellent communication skills in order to provide empathetic, trauma-informed health advice and support to children and young people in care and care leavers.
The post holder will complete comprehensive statutory review health assessments and health interventions with children and young people in the care of Plymouth Local Authority and to those placed in Plymouth by other authorities, as detailed in "Promoting the health and wellbeing of Looked After Children" (updated 2022).
The post holder will provide expert clinical advice, deliver health education and work in collaboration with partner agencies (Childrens Social Care teams, Fostering, Education, and other statutory and voluntary organisations) who work with Children in Care.
The post holder will be required to take a lead role in compiling and implementing health plans for this very vulnerable group of children and young people. This will be achieved by improving the co-ordination, access and delivery of health care to Children and Young People in Care and Care Leavers, both living in and out of area who are the responsibility of Plymouth Local Authority, and those placed in Plymouth by other Local Authorities.
Responsibility for People Management
- Work with other health and social care professionals to ensure improved health outcomes for Children in Care and Care Leavers
- Support and advise colleagues in the clinical assessment and care of children and young people, as part of own clinical role, whilst being clear about others personal clinical professional accountability
- Supervision and / or mentoring of team members / students
- Plan and deliver training for health staff, foster carers and Social Care staff about the health and wellbeing of children in care
- Work with other professionals to evaluate training and adapt provision to meet the learning needs of participants.
Responsibility for financial and / or physical resources
To take responsibility for the safety and security of equipment, including phones, laptop, measuring equipment and other devices issued by Livewell, and to report any faults in a timely way.
Responsibility for administration
To plan the health assessments allocated on a weekly basis, ensuring they are undertaken within statutory timescales
To liaise with other professionals to ensure a robust health assessment is undertaken
Formulate meaningful individual healthcare plans and monitor their implementation
Review health records, compile and analyse holistic health chronologies and provide written comprehensive reports detailing the implications of the information for the childs current and future health and wellbeing,
Ensure records are written contemporaneously and that they meet Safer Information standards
Responsibility for people who use our services
Able to communicate and engage effectively with children and young people in care, ensuring that they have the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting them as appropriate to their age and ability.
Undertake holistic statutory Children in Care health assessments, including those for children with complex healthcare and social needs
Work in a trauma-informed way with children and young people
Work flexibly to ensure visits are undertaken at times that are convenient for children, young people and carers
Know about the health needs of specific groups such as children with disabilities, children affected by antenatal influences such as drugs and alcohol, refugees and unaccompanied asylum seekers, minority ethnic groups and adopted children
Identify health needs and refer children as appropriate
Act as a facilitator to enable children and / or their carers to access appropriate health services for the child
Understand how birth family health history, mental health and parental lifestyle choices impact on the childs health and development
Understand how primary carers health and lifestyle issues impact on children and young people
Understand the attachment model with reference to children who have experienced neglect and trauma, and the lifelong impact of insecure or disordered attachments
Work in partnership with carers in residential units and foster families to support Children in Care
Work with health services and partner agencies to provide support and interventions to meet the needs of Children in Care
Interpret and communicate on a broad range of health information in a social and education context
Contribute to the Life Story work of Children in Care
Work with multiagency colleagues to support young people leaving care, providing support to access specialist advice on contraception and sexual health, promoting physical and mental health, enabling access to GP services and facilitating transfer of care leavers with complex needs, including those with disabilities, to adult services
Responsibility for implementation of policy and / or service developments
At all times and in relation to the roles and responsibilities listed, work with the Designated and Named Professionals for Children in Care
Other Responsibilities
Appraisal and personal development
Communication and relationships
Physical demands of the job
Ability to respond to quickly changing circumstances, such as the admission of a child into care, or one who moves placements, to ensure the childs health needs are assessed, understood and appropriate interventions initiated
Work flexible hours and evenings when required, according to the needs of the service.
Driving, sometimes long distances, to visit children and / or carers
Use of various computer systems for prolonged periods
Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Specific skills
Essential
Desirable
Additional requirements
Essential